Enlightening Symbols

Enlightening Symbols PDF Author: Joseph Mazur
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691173370
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 309

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Book Description
An entertaining look at the origins of mathematical symbols While all of us regularly use basic math symbols such as those for plus, minus, and equals, few of us know that many of these symbols weren't available before the sixteenth century. What did mathematicians rely on for their work before then? And how did mathematical notations evolve into what we know today? In Enlightening Symbols, popular math writer Joseph Mazur explains the fascinating history behind the development of our mathematical notation system. He shows how symbols were used initially, how one symbol replaced another over time, and how written math was conveyed before and after symbols became widely adopted. Traversing mathematical history and the foundations of numerals in different cultures, Mazur looks at how historians have disagreed over the origins of the numerical system for the past two centuries. He follows the transfigurations of algebra from a rhetorical style to a symbolic one, demonstrating that most algebra before the sixteenth century was written in prose or in verse employing the written names of numerals. Mazur also investigates the subconscious and psychological effects that mathematical symbols have had on mathematical thought, moods, meaning, communication, and comprehension. He considers how these symbols influence us (through similarity, association, identity, resemblance, and repeated imagery), how they lead to new ideas by subconscious associations, how they make connections between experience and the unknown, and how they contribute to the communication of basic mathematics. From words to abbreviations to symbols, this book shows how math evolved to the familiar forms we use today.

Enlightening Symbols

Enlightening Symbols PDF Author: Joseph Mazur
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691173370
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 309

Get Book Here

Book Description
An entertaining look at the origins of mathematical symbols While all of us regularly use basic math symbols such as those for plus, minus, and equals, few of us know that many of these symbols weren't available before the sixteenth century. What did mathematicians rely on for their work before then? And how did mathematical notations evolve into what we know today? In Enlightening Symbols, popular math writer Joseph Mazur explains the fascinating history behind the development of our mathematical notation system. He shows how symbols were used initially, how one symbol replaced another over time, and how written math was conveyed before and after symbols became widely adopted. Traversing mathematical history and the foundations of numerals in different cultures, Mazur looks at how historians have disagreed over the origins of the numerical system for the past two centuries. He follows the transfigurations of algebra from a rhetorical style to a symbolic one, demonstrating that most algebra before the sixteenth century was written in prose or in verse employing the written names of numerals. Mazur also investigates the subconscious and psychological effects that mathematical symbols have had on mathematical thought, moods, meaning, communication, and comprehension. He considers how these symbols influence us (through similarity, association, identity, resemblance, and repeated imagery), how they lead to new ideas by subconscious associations, how they make connections between experience and the unknown, and how they contribute to the communication of basic mathematics. From words to abbreviations to symbols, this book shows how math evolved to the familiar forms we use today.

Enlightening Symbols (eGalley)

Enlightening Symbols (eGalley) PDF Author: Joseph Mazur
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781400898046
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 285

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Book Description


The Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols

The Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols PDF Author:
Publisher: Serindia Publications, Inc.
ISBN: 9781932476033
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 284

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Book Description
Based on the author's previous publication The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs, this handbook contains an array of symbols and motifs, accompanied by succinct explanations. It provides treatment of the essential Tibetan religious figures, themes and motifs, both secular and religious.

The Complete Novels of Bram Stoker

The Complete Novels of Bram Stoker PDF Author: Bram Stoker
Publisher: Good Press
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 1649

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Book Description
Bram Stoker's 'The Complete Novels of Bram Stoker' is a collection of gothic horror masterpieces that showcase the author's unique literary style and unparalleled ability to create a sense of dread and suspense. From the iconic 'Dracula' to lesser-known gems like 'The Jewel of Seven Stars,' Stoker's novels are a testament to his craft and enduring influence in the horror genre. The richly detailed settings, complex characters, and intricate plotlines make these novels a must-read for any fan of gothic literature. Stoker's use of supernatural elements and psychological depth adds layers of complexity to his narratives, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Bram Stoker's deep fascination with folklore, mythology, and the supernatural shines through in his work, reflecting his personal interests and experiences. Drawing inspiration from his travels, research, and personal beliefs, Stoker crafted a body of work that continues to captivate and terrify readers to this day. His exploration of themes such as sexuality, power, and mortality set him apart as a visionary writer who pushed the boundaries of the horror genre. I highly recommend 'The Complete Novels of Bram Stoker' to anyone seeking a thrilling and immersive reading experience. Stoker's timeless tales of darkness and desire will leave you spellbound, eager to delve deeper into the twisted realms of his imagination.

The Complete Works of Bram Stoker

The Complete Works of Bram Stoker PDF Author: Bram Stoker
Publisher: Good Press
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 2136

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Book Description
In 'The Complete Works of Bram Stoker,' readers are taken on a mesmerizing journey through the captivating and chilling world of the renowned Victorian author. This comprehensive collection includes Stoker's iconic masterpiece, 'Dracula,' along with other lesser-known works that showcase his mastery of gothic horror and supernatural fiction. Stoker's atmospheric prose and intricate plotlines immerse readers in a world of romance, mystery, and the macabre, making this compilation a must-read for fans of classic literature. The influence of Stoker's works on the horror genre is undeniable, setting the standard for vampire lore and Gothic literature for generations to come. Bram Stoker, a prolific writer and theater manager, drew inspiration from his own Irish heritage, folklore, and Victorian society to create his enduring literary legacy. His deep fascination with the supernatural and his vivid imagination shine through in his works, captivating readers with tales of terror and suspense. Stoker's unique storytelling style and complex characters have solidified his reputation as a master of horror fiction. For readers seeking to delve into the dark and mysterious realms of Victorian gothic literature, 'The Complete Works of Bram Stoker' is a must-have addition to any library. Fans of the horror genre will appreciate Stoker's haunting narratives and his enduring impact on the world of literature.

The Best Writing on Mathematics 2016

The Best Writing on Mathematics 2016 PDF Author: Mircea Pitici
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 1400885604
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 408

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Book Description
The year's finest mathematics writing from around the world This annual anthology brings together the year's finest mathematics writing from around the world. Featuring promising new voices alongside some of the foremost names in the field, The Best Writing on Mathematics 2016 makes available to a wide audience many articles not easily found anywhere else—and you don't need to be a mathematician to enjoy them. These writings offer surprising insights into the nature, meaning, and practice of mathematics today. They delve into the history, philosophy, teaching, and everyday occurrences of math, and take readers behind the scenes of today's hottest mathematical debates. Here Burkard Polster shows how to invent your own variants of the Spot It! card game, Steven Strogatz presents young Albert Einstein's proof of the Pythagorean Theorem, Joseph Dauben and Marjorie Senechal find a treasure trove of math in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Andrew Gelman explains why much scientific research based on statistical testing is spurious. In other essays, Brian Greene discusses the evolving assumptions of the physicists who developed the mathematical underpinnings of string theory, Jorge Almeida examines the misperceptions of people who attempt to predict lottery results, and Ian Stewart offers advice to authors who aspire to write successful math books for general readers. And there's much, much more. In addition to presenting the year's most memorable writings on mathematics, this must-have anthology includes a bibliography of other notable writings and an introduction by the editor, Mircea Pitici. This book belongs on the shelf of anyone interested in where math has taken us—and where it is headed.

True Enough

True Enough PDF Author: Catherine Z. Elgin
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 0262036533
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 351

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Book Description
The development of an epistemology that explains how science and art embody and convey understanding. Philosophy valorizes truth, holding that there can never be epistemically good reasons to accept a known falsehood, or to accept modes of justification that are not truth conducive. How can this stance account for the epistemic standing of science, which unabashedly relies on models, idealizations, and thought experiments that are known not to be true? In True Enough, Catherine Elgin argues that we should not assume that the inaccuracy of models and idealizations constitutes an inadequacy. To the contrary, their divergence from truth or representational accuracy fosters their epistemic functioning. When effective, models and idealizations are, Elgin contends, felicitous falsehoods that exemplify features of the phenomena they bear on. Because works of art deploy the same sorts of felicitous falsehoods, she argues, they also advance understanding. Elgin develops a holistic epistemology that focuses on the understanding of broad ranges of phenomena rather than knowledge of individual facts. Epistemic acceptability, she maintains, is a matter not of truth-conduciveness, but of what would be reflectively endorsed by the members of an idealized epistemic community—a quasi-Kantian realm of epistemic ends.

George Berkeley

George Berkeley PDF Author: Tom Jones
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691217483
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 648

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Book Description
A comprehensive intellectual biography of the Enlightenment philosopher In George Berkeley: A Philosophical Life, Tom Jones provides a comprehensive account of the life and work of the preeminent Irish philosopher of the Enlightenment. From his early brilliance as a student and fellow at Trinity College Dublin to his later years as Bishop of Cloyne, Berkeley brought his searching and powerful intellect to bear on the full range of eighteenth-century thought and experience. Jones brings vividly to life the complexities and contradictions of Berkeley’s life and ideas. He advanced a radical immaterialism, holding that the only reality was minds, their thoughts, and their perceptions, without any physical substance underlying them. But he put forward this counterintuitive philosophy in support of the existence and ultimate sovereignty of God. Berkeley was an energetic social reformer, deeply interested in educational and economic improvement, including for the indigenous peoples of North America, yet he believed strongly in obedience to hierarchy and defended slavery. And although he spent much of his life in Ireland, he followed his time at Trinity with years of travel that took him to London, Italy, and New England, where he spent two years trying to establish a university for Bermuda, before returning to Ireland to take up an Anglican bishopric in a predominantly Catholic country. Jones draws on the full range of Berkeley’s writings, from philosophical treatises to personal letters and journals, to probe the deep connections between his life and work. The result is a richly detailed and rounded portrait of a major Enlightenment thinker and the world in which he lived.

Beyond Techniques

Beyond Techniques PDF Author: Lisa Marie Gutowski
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 0595498531
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 158

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Book Description
"The year 2012 is fast approaching, and with it an awakening that has already begun to change the planet. Beyond Techniques--the 2012 Shift is the perfect resource for those who are excited about the changes, who are actively seeking ways to connect to this inevitable yet brilliant time. Renowned spiritual teacher Lisa Marie Gutowski empowers seekers through this human consciousness evolution by easing their way past the ego, thus erasing the scripts written on the subconscious and allowing full connection to source through the superconscious. In addition, she takes those that are technique-bound beyond their need for works to the required place of simply being. Gutowski delves into several different topics, including: our vibrational selves, simple basic meditation, chakra balancing and energizing, externalization of energy, and much more!"--Publisher.

Turning Points in the History of Mathematics

Turning Points in the History of Mathematics PDF Author: Hardy Grant
Publisher: Birkhäuser
ISBN: 1493932640
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 112

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Book Description
This book explores some of the major turning points in the history of mathematics, ranging from ancient Greece to the present, demonstrating the drama that has often been a part of its evolution. Studying these breakthroughs, transitions, and revolutions, their stumbling-blocks and their triumphs, can help illuminate the importance of the history of mathematics for its teaching, learning, and appreciation. Some of the turning points considered are the rise of the axiomatic method (most famously in Euclid), and the subsequent major changes in it (for example, by David Hilbert); the “wedding,” via analytic geometry, of algebra and geometry; the “taming” of the infinitely small and the infinitely large; the passages from algebra to algebras, from geometry to geometries, and from arithmetic to arithmetics; and the revolutions in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries that resulted from Georg Cantor’s creation of transfinite set theory. The origin of each turning point is discussed, along with the mathematicians involved and some of the mathematics that resulted. Problems and projects are included in each chapter to extend and increase understanding of the material. Substantial reference lists are also provided. Turning Points in the History of Mathematics will be a valuable resource for teachers of, and students in, courses in mathematics or its history. The book should also be of interest to anyone with a background in mathematics who wishes to learn more about the important moments in its development.